Four North Devon walks to try this summer

How well do you know North Devon? Thanks to North Devon Ramblers we have been able to bring you four local walks that will get you off the beaten track and open up new pastures.

Already running out of ideas to keep busy during the summer holidays?

Fear not - we've teamed up with North Devon Ramblers to bring you these four North Devon walks.

Start/end: Torrington Commons car park.

A three mile walk with only one fairly steep up. Featuring sites such as the Puffing Billy and a small chapel at Taddiport.

Walk away from the town, down over the slope to The Puffing Billy. Turn right along the Tarka Trail and almost immediately take another to bring you to the wide Rolle Road. Follow this for about 20 minutes until you meet a road. Cross this and take the footpath to your left, continuing for another 20 minutes. Walk uphill until you reach the Wellington Obelisk. Continue, following the contours then gradually uphill, past the Old Bowling Green before entering South Street car park through a gateway in the stone wall. Go through to reach South Street, turn left and continue until just after a wayside cross. Here take the high path on the right, taking you into Rack Park and then Warren Lane. Right here, then take second FP on the left. This keeps fairly level until you reach the road at Limers Hill. Right here, back to your CP.

Start: Barnstaple bus station

End: Barnstaple town centre

A fairly easy walk of about four miles with an opportunity for tea at Blakewell. If travelling by bus, this walk is only possible on a Tuesday. On Monday and Wednesday to Saturday the 303 bus will drop you at the top of Ashford from where you can walk to Springfield Cross.

At 1.50pm, take Filers bus 303 from Barnstaple bus station. Cross the road and follow the bridleway sign. Follow this track as it drops down to Blakewell. At the signpost near the trout farm turn right along the road to Blakewell Mill. Here turn left and at some steps turn to the right following Bradiford Water until you reach a field. Continue to follow the yellow waymarks through a gate into Tutshill Wood, so peaceful and pretty. On leaving the wood cross the field diagonally to a raised footbridge over the stream and after a few yards follow the yellow footpath markers to your left up the side of Shearford Lane (again fairly narrow path). On reaching the road turn left then next right to walk down Youings Drive (if you wish to shorten the walk do not turn into the drive but carry on to the hospital with a regular bus service into Barnstaple). At the mini roundabout turn left then continue through a pedestrian walkway to North Road, right here but after a road to your right you will find the entrance to the Rotary Gardens (worth a visit).

Leave the car park by the track to the left of your entry, this will take you down to the lakeside and the dam. This reservoir was built in 1956 and is managed by the South West Lakes Trust. There is an easy access trail all around the lake and plenty of opportunities to bird watch or picnic.

Start and end: Combe Martin, Cormelles Court car park near church.

A three mile walk which requires good shoes especially after rain.

From the car park walk up through the churchyard to Park Lane. Turn right and follow this hill with wide ranging views over the village, famous for its silver mines and strawberries. Do not take any paths to your right until after about half a mile then take the signed footpath to your right. This will take you through a gate and follow the hedge down the field until you turn right and continue on a track eventually meeting the A399. Cross and take the footpath just to your left which will take you towards the sea. Turn right and follow the main road near a car park then left along the seaside. Avoid the South West Coast Path, which is to your left, but take the next lane to your left which passes a primary school.

Turn right then follow this path rising slightly until you meet West Challacombe Lane. Turn left along the lane for about 150 yards then take the marked footpath to your right, which rises and follows a stream. When you meet a wider track turn right and follow Netherton Lane to another surfaced road. Go straight across and follow Prentice Lane downhill. Continue down Watery Lane, turn right into Corner Lane and to the A399. From here the church and car park are just down to your right.

About North Devon Gazette

First published in 1856 as the Bideford Gazette, the North Devon Gazette is the free newspaper and website for the region, covering a vast area from Hartland in the west to Lynton in the east and to South Molton and Holsworthy in the south.